Militarization alert: UN warns of risks from the National Guard Law

MEXICO CITY.— The Office in Mexico of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (UN-DH) expressed its concern yesterday, Friday, about the proposals for the new National Guard Law and reforms to security laws being discussed in Congress, considering that they consolidate an “undue military nature” and threaten fundamental rights such as privacy and accountability .

In a thread posted on its official X account, the UN warned that the new National Guard Law would grant its members broad investigative and intelligence powers without establishing democratic controls or adequate accountability mechanisms.

These powers, the agency warned, would add to the growing militarization of public security tasks in the country.

The international organization also expressed concern about provisions that would give the Army the power to process intelligence information.

According to the UN Human Rights , this puts at risk rights such as privacy, as provided for in Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and lacks effective safeguards.

"We reiterate that public security must be the responsibility of civil authorities, subject to democratic oversight, the subject of broad public debate, and carried out with full respect for and observance of human rights," the organization emphasized in its publications.

The reforms under discussion in the Mexican Congress contemplate changes to the General Law of the National Public Security System and the Law of the National System of Investigation and Intelligence in Public Security Matters.

Various civil and academic groups have also warned that these amendments could legalize surveillance practices without a court order and expand the scope of action of the Armed Forces.

🗳📌 DEPUTIES APPROVE A NATIONAL GUARD AS A PERMANENT ARMED FORCE The Chamber of Deputies approved the new National Guard Law: ✅ Morena and allies voted in favor ❌ PAN, PRI and MC against And what does this mean? 📍 The civil character is eliminated

📍 The Guard passes… pic.twitter.com/8iPkAS5p4z